Employment Forecasts

With the global economy in such turmoil it is vital to monitor the state of the economy in order to predict what the effect will be on unemployment rates in Scotland.

The employment forecasts show a largely encouraging trend. Total employment is expected to remain at its current level of around 241,000 for a number of years, despite the anticipated downturn in energy sector employment. The post-2017 decline will be gradual and concentrated in a small number of industrial sectors.

Energy employment passed its peak several years ago and the downward trend will continue. Oil production is declining, exploration activity is at a low level and several fields are likely to be decommissioned during the forecast period. However, the North Sea remains an important producer of hydrocarbons with substantial remaining reserves - an ‘early sunset’ is not expected. The North East Scotland energy sector will still employ 25,000 people in 2021.

Will employment levels being a high priority in Scotland, there are more opportunities to up skill your current staff member in many fields including, design & textiles, manufacturing and accounts. These few sectors are just the start of reducing unemployment levels in Scotland.

Employment in the Non-Energy sector is forecast to rise from 176,050 in 2003 to over 179,000 in 2011, before declining to 175,500 in 2021. Some significant infrastructure projects, eg the Western Peripheral Route, will result in a sharp increase in construction employment in the period to 2017.

In these troubled economic times every country is looking for ways to cut costs, to work more efficiently, and thus to maintain a healthy, growing economy. Scotland is no different, and with one eye on devolution and further autonomy, we need to ensure our economy is strong and moving in the right direction. For this reason we believe that economic research in Scotland can only benefit our future. Help us to make this country strong, and independent. Why not get in touch with our Economic Research in Scotland experts to learn more.

Please Note

This website has nothing to do with the old North East Scotland Economic Research website.